Discussion/Posting #4: “The Structural Framings of Your Identities (‘For and In The Name of’).”

 

For this Discussion/Posting #4, you will engage in a reflection activity known as “The Structural Framings of Your Identities (‘For and In The Name of’).”

Please respond to at least two of your peer responses as well.

Total Points:  60 points

Here are my parameters (which will help guide you in terms of what I am looking for):

*Your Initial Post (you have to answer questions in an initial posting on every discussion):  This should be 250 words single-spaced.

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Please follow the instructions below.

• In the space below, jot down at least 1 of your ethnic/cultural identities and your national identity. Separate each with a line.
• Next, write down the two identities that you have that are most important to you. Jot down reasons as to why these are most important.
• Write down the most controversial identity you have to the larger society or government (one that is the most threatening to these entities). Explain why.
• Write down the identity you feel is most accepted by the larger society or government. Explain why.
• Write down the identity you find most difficult to share with friends and acquaintances. Explain why.
• Write down the identity of yours that your family and loved ones most know and refer to. Explain.
• Write down the identity of yours that is most negatively represented by the media. Explain why.
• Write down the identity that will get you the farthest in terms of your goals (money, jobs, success, achievement). Explain why.
• Write down the identity that you think you will hold near to your heart for the rest of your life. Explain why.
• Write down the identity that you feel holds the most stakes and risks for your future. Explain why.
• Go back and read what you wrote. Answer the following questions:  What do you notice about your responses? Do you feel torn between your many different identities?  Are you negotiating between identities? What are some larger issues of identity raised here?
• Your responses should demonstrate how our identities are always mediated by others and larger structures of power around us. Many structures of power and people are affected by our own identities and this may, in turn, influence which identity we highlight more than others and in specific contexts and with certain groups.  When responding to your peers in the discussion postings, engage what you noticed about each other’s reflections and responses.

Identity & Intercultural Communication:
Identity Mapping

COMM

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74 – Module/Unit #4

Dr. Halualani

1

What is Identity?

Identity as:

Personal Self

Group Membership

Think of all the labels you would use to describe who you are or your identity.

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What is Identity?
We all have multiple identities.
It’s human nature to want to “fit in” as well as to be unique.
Some identities are visible, others are less apparent.
Some identities are accepted, some are taboo.
You continually gain, lose, or change certain aspects of your identity, while others are fixed.
Context shapes identities.

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Social Identity Mapping Exercise

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5

6

7

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What is Identity?
The labels you thought of are likely context-based or group oriented, social classifications.
Next, take one of those labels – if you had to give one of those up, which one would it be and why?
Most individuals would not give up their ethnic identity.
Think about the following questions:
How do you know someone is a member of the same group? How do people know that you are a member of the group?
What could account for the discrepancy between how you identify yourself and how someone else identifies you?

9

What Is Identity?
Core Identity: the attributes that we think make us unique as individuals
• including traits, behaviors, beliefs, values, or skills
Given Identity: the attributes or conditions that we had no choice in, from birth or later
• including birthplace, age, sex, physical characteristics, certain family roles, possibly religion
Chosen Identity: the status or attributes or skills that we choose
• including occupation, hobbies, political affiliation, where we live, certain family roles, possibly religion

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Three Perspectives of Identity (from M & N, Chapter 5)

1) Social Psychological Perspective of Identity 
Group membership (like “culture”) determines identity. (collective self vs. individual self; relationships vs. independence) (culture bound identities)
Cultural identity (can be ethnic group or some other social grouping you belong to that you identify closely with) 
Ethnic identity = the degree to which one feels a sense of belonging to a specific group bound together by a shared language, religious faith, history, set of traditions, values, and symbols, religion, and or nationality. (ethnic labels, how you fill out forms/census) 
Cultural identity also considers the extent to which an individual engages in behaviors associated with a group.  
Cultural identity /ethnic identity considers the degree to which you actively participate in the behaviors, practices, and traditions associated with a group.
Fill out the “Cultural Identity Scale” in the Content portion of Week 4, Unit 4.
Our identities develop in stages.
 Gender identities form between 1-3 years.
Ethnic & racial identities form between 7-9 years

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Three Perspectives of Identity (from M & N, Chapter 5)
2) A Communication Perspective of Identity
Identity is created through communication with others.
 Weider & Pratt reading – On Being a Recognizable Indian Among Indians
 deals with the ? – How do you know that you are part of cultural group?
identity resides within social interaction:
 behaving, acting, doing of a cultural identity
 others must recognize such enactment
 as a real cultural member, you must recognize others’ actions as being real or not real.
 Who is an Indian? How does a real Indian make himself or herself recognizable as a real Indian?
 reticence with regard to interaction with strangers
 acceptance of obligations
 

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Three Perspectives of Identity (from M & N, Chapter 5)
Weider & Pratt reading – On Being a Recognizable Indian Among Indians
 razzing
 attaining harmony in face-to-face relations
 modesty and “doing one’s own part”
 taking on familial relations
 permissible and required silence
 public speaking — formal/impromptu public speaking (by elders who speak for them)
 

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**Identity Matching Theory
Identity Matching Theory (Collier & Thomas)
 An avowed identity refers to a person’s perception of her or his self (self-image).
 An ascribed identity refers to others’ perceptions of you.
 If your ascription of one’s identity matches her or his avowed identity, it is likely that you will have a successful intercultural interaction.

HERE
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Three Perspectives of Identity (from M & N, Chapter 5)
3) Critical Perspective of Identity
 Identity needs to be understood within larger structures of history and politics.
 Chen reading in packet — (De)Hyphenated Identity: The Double Voice in The Woman Warrior
 Discusses being a Chinese American.
 Double voice — moving back and forth from an unknown traditional Chinese culture to an alienating American one.
 De-hyphenate identity — moving from an either/or distinction to a both/and one.

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Identity & Power
Critical Perspective of Identity
 Identity needs to be understood within larger structures of history and power.
Certain identities are favored more than others (privilege, social acceptance).
Not all identities are treated equally
Power Tour

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Identity & Power
In what ways does your identity have an impact on:
– your access to resources and to people?
– Your ability to influence through position or relationships?

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What is Social/Intercultural Justice?
To positively transform society by working towards the re-distribution of advantages, disadvantages, benefits, and resources to those in need or left without these forms.

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Think About . . .
If someone else were making a map of your social identity, what do you think they would include? What might they leave out?

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Social Identity Mapping

ROLES

CONTEXTS/
SETTINGS

GROUP
MEMBERSHIPS

RESOURCES

GiVEN/ASCRIBED

CHOSEN/AVOWED

Social Identity Mapping

ROLES
CONTEXTS/
SETTINGS
GROUP
MEMBERSHIPS
RESOURCES
GiVEN/ASCRIBED
CHOSEN/AVOWED

Think about:

o When you look at your map, what comes up for you?

o Are you surprised at all?

o Which aspects of your identity give you access to resources and to roles/people in

power?
o How does your identity help you leverage differences and find common ground?
o What resources are made available through your identity?
o What advantages are made available through your identity??
o What disadvantages or limitations are made available through your identity??

Think about:

o When you look at your map, what comes up for you?
o Are you surprised at all?
o Which aspects of your identity give you access to resources and to roles/people in
power?
o How does your identity help you leverage differences and find common ground?
o What resources are made available through your identity?
o What advantages are made available through your identity??
o What disadvantages or limitations are made available through your identity??